As a movie enthusiast who appreciates animation, I would strongly suggest showing “Fixed” to anyone who insists that animated films are only for children. This film, with its crude humor and intentionally rough animation style, is the antithesis of Disney’s classic “Lady and the Tramp.” If you compare it to a Steven Spielberg movie, it’s like “Shaving Ryan’s Privates” in comparison – a stark contrast indeed! Produced by Sony Pictures Animation and streaming on Netflix alongside shows like “BoJack Horseman” and “Big Mouth,” this offbeat comedy revolves around the adventures of a libidinous rescue dog (played by Adam Devine as Bull) who must deal with the news that he’s about to be neutered.
Despite having testicles (carefully sketched beneath his star-shaped rear end), this isn’t going to last forever for Bull, unless he manages to outsmart his owners who, despite adopting him, haven’t made much effort to tame their troublesome pet. The story, titled “Neutered,” starts off in a cheeky manner – depicting Bull writhing in pleasure as he humps Nana’s leg – and continues to push boundaries, an impressive feat for humor that often dwells in the gutter.
Unlike many shock comedies that lose steam following initial jokes, “Fixed” matches the offensive intensity of “Pink Flamingoes,” refusing to back down even after scenes involving canine feces. Eventually, Bull, willing to jeopardize his reputation, takes a stand to safeguard Honey (Kathryn Hahn), his neighbor’s pedigreed Afghan hound. Although a fence divides their properties, there’s an undeniable connection between them, with Bull doubting Honey’s compatibility due to her high-class status – and it’s not hard to understand why, given that she’s a highly-acclaimed show dog meant for the snobbish Sterling (Beck Bennett).
The storyline of our character, Bull, is as follows: Initially, Bull believes himself superior to other castrated animals at the dog park due to still having his testicles. He cares for Honey deeply but fears he might lose this chance because the vet plans to neuter them. Consequently, Bull decides to flee home, experiencing a canine version of an Amish Rumspringa. However, he later realizes that perhaps he is not meant for freedom.
To be honest, that idea is essentially the foundation for jokes that have an unusual, yet appealing, quality to them – the kind you’d expect in an animated movie. For instance, Nana takes Bull’s enthusiasm for excitement instead of his lipstick, correct? And Lucky the Chihuahua (Bobby Moynihan) munches on cat leftovers, check. There’s even a surreal scene where Bull’s duo, under the influence of pot, declare their freedom and embark on their own journey.
In the name of a lofty objective, Tartakovsky and co-writer Jon Vitti, known for their work on “Saturday Night Live” and “The Simpsons,” unabashedly embrace an offbeat humor in this production. This humor echoes that found in classic cartoons like those of Fritz the Cat, where the animations seemed child-friendly but were actually filled with adult-oriented jokes. The result is a film that not only thrives on being audacious, but also manages to be unique in its approach – a significant leap forward from the live-action “Strays” of 2023.
In terms of genre, “Fixed” can be seen as a dog-focused spin on the sex comedy in the vein of “American Pie”. If we exclude Nana’s leg (or the long-standing defilement of fruit bowls and flowerpots by Bull), then this overly amorous pooch is still a virgin. As the story progresses, when Bull and his companions discover a brothel to fulfill their desires, the movie ventures into territories that make you think “oh dear, they really did it”. While Lucky finds himself with a Doberman named Frankie (River Gallo), Bull and his friends, Rocco (Idris Elba) and Fetch (Fred Armisen), delve into eccentricities and fetishes in canine sexual escapades that even Seth Rogen’s “Sausage Party” shied away from depicting.
In an unexpected turn of events, even within this corrupt environment, “Fixed” shows signs of emotional depth. I won’t reveal the plot twists, but it’s worth mentioning that the movie handles maturely the extent to which Bull must change his ways to make amends for his actions. Surprisingly enough, it seems a lecherous character like him can learn new behaviors.
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2025-06-11 16:51